Mayor searches for London Ambassadors
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, today fired the starting gun in the search for the 8,000 welcoming faces that will greet the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to descend on London for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Marking two years to go until the London Games Opening Ceremony, Johnson launched the London Ambassadors programme that is looking for people who have a passion for all things London to volunteer their time to give help and advice to visitors arriving in 2012.
Located at one of 35 information booths across the city, such as transport hubs, outside Games venues, near to the City Live Sites, and close to tourist hot spots, they will provide much needed information for the full duration for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, 53 days in total.
Registration for applying opens today at www.londonambassadors.org.uk
LOCOG today also launched its campaign to find volunteers to help deliver the Games. LOCOG's volunteers will be known as 'Gamesmakers', and, from today, the public can find out if they have what it takes to be a Gamesmaker at www.london2012.com
The Mayor is keen for as many people as possible to get involved and is looking for applicants of all abilities and disabilities. He is especially encouraging young people to get involved and has opened up registration to applicants who will be 16 years old by 1 January 2012. Anyone new to volunteering is especially encouraged to take part. The Mayor is also working with a variety of businesses, both large and small, to encourage them to allow their employees to take time off to volunteer.
Commenting on today’s launch, London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “Everything I do in this job is geared towards showing off this city at its best - safer, stronger, greener, cleaner and more creative, dynamic and inspiring than ever. When the world descends on our doorstep in 2012 we need an army of ambassadors to provide the welcome and hospitality that will ensure their friends and family will return for many years to come to experience the electric atmosphere of the world’s top city.
”We can’t do this alone so we’re looking for London Ambassadors to lead on the frontline. If you are passionate about London, love this city like I do and want the world to know the great story we have to tell here then please register your interest online. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and everyone in London has a role to play – don’t let it pass you by.”
